U.S. patent application number 16/690910 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-28 for sensor receptacle for receiving a sensor of a motor vehicle and a trim component of a motor vehicle with such sensor receptacle.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOTHERSON INNOVATIONS COMPANY LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is MOTHERSON INNOVATIONS COMPANY LIMITED. Invention is credited to JOCHEN WALZ.
Application Number | 20200164815 16/690910 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64477031 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200164815 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WALZ; JOCHEN |
May 28, 2020 |
SENSOR RECEPTACLE FOR RECEIVING A SENSOR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE AND A
TRIM COMPONENT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH SUCH SENSOR RECEPTACLE
Abstract
A sensor receptacle for receiving a sensor of a motor vehicle is
disclosed. The receptacle includes a wall enclosing a cavity with a
first opening and a second opening and which defines a longitudinal
axis (L), wherein the sensor can be introduced into the cavity by a
movement along the longitudinal axis (L) through the first opening
and/or through the second opening. A joining flange is arranged in
the region of the first opening and the sensor receptacle is
connected by way of the joining flange to a trim component of the
motor vehicle by forming a cavity between the sensor receptacle and
the trim component, such that the sensor receptacle can be
connected to the trim component by way of a filling and fastening
agent that fills the cavity, and wherein a protrusion is arranged
on the joining flange and extending along the longitudinal axis
(L). The joining flange and the protrusion are formed such that the
filling agent is displaced away from the cavity when connecting the
sensor receptacle with the trim component.
Inventors: |
WALZ; JOCHEN; (Eichstetten,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MOTHERSON INNOVATIONS COMPANY LIMITED |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
MOTHERSON INNOVATIONS COMPANY
LIMITED
London
GB
|
Family ID: |
64477031 |
Appl. No.: |
16/690910 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 13/02 20130101;
B60R 16/03 20130101; G01S 15/931 20130101; G01S 2015/938 20130101;
B60R 2013/0287 20130101; G01S 7/521 20130101; G01S 7/03 20130101;
B60R 19/483 20130101; G01S 2007/027 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 13/02 20060101
B60R013/02; B60R 16/03 20060101 B60R016/03 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 26, 2018 |
EP |
18 208 335.2 |
Claims
1. A sensor receptacle for receiving a sensor of a motor vehicle,
comprising a wall enclosing a cavity having a first opening and a
second opening and which defines a longitudinal axis L, wherein a
sensor held in the cavity and inserted into the cavity by a
movement along the longitudinal axis through the first opening or
through the second opening, a joining flange arranged in the region
of the first opening, wherein the sensor receptacle is connected by
way of the joining flange with a trim component of the motor
vehicle by forming a cavity between the sensor receptacle and the
trim component, wherein the sensor receptacle is connected to the
trim component by way of a filling and fastening agent that fills
the cavity, and a protrusion arranged on the joining flange and
extending along the longitudinal axis L, wherein the joining flange
and the protrusion are formed such that the filling and fastening
agent is displaced away from the cavity when the sensor receptacle
is connected with the trim component.
2. The sensor receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the wall
forms an interior surface and the joining flange is aligned with
the interior surface.
3. The sensor receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the
protrusion is aligned with the interior surface.
4. The sensor receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the joining
flange and the protrusion are formed circumferentially.
5. The sensor receptacle according to claim 4, wherein the joining
flange and the protrusion are formed integrally with the wall.
6. The sensor receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the
protrusion protrudes from the joining flange with an axial distance
between 0.05 mm and 0.5 mm.
7. The sensor receptacle according to claim 6, wherein the
protrusion extends from the interior surface by a radial distance
between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm.
8. The sensor receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the joining
flange has an end face which is oriented toward the first opening
and is inclined relative to a plane extending perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis by an end face angle .alpha., wherein the end
face angle .alpha. points away from the first opening and is
between 1.degree. and 7.degree..
9. The sensor receptacle according to claim 8, wherein the joining
flange has an outer surface which is inclined relative to the
longitudinal axis by an outer surface angle .beta., wherein the
outer surface angle .beta. is between 1.degree. and 5.degree. and
causes a taper of the joining flange toward the first opening.
10. The sensor receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the sensor
receptacle is made of a plastic material, which is permeable to
electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength between 350 nm and 450
nm.
11. A trim component of a motor vehicle, comprising one or more
through holes, one or more sensor receptacles according to claim 1,
wherein the one or more sensor receptacles are arranged in the
region of one of the passage openings at least partially spaced
apart from the trim component by forming a cavity, and a filling
and fastening agent filled in the cavity to affix the sensor
receptacles to the trim component.
12. The trim component according to claim 11, wherein the trim
component has a curvature and the through openings are arranged in
the region of the curvature.
13. The trim component according to claim 12, wherein the filling
and fastening agent is an adhesive curable under action of
electromagnetic radiation.
14. The trim component according to claim 13, wherein the adhesive
is curable under the action of electromagnetic radiation of a
wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm.
15. The sensor receptacle of claim 8, wherein the angle .alpha. is
between 3.degree. and 5.degree..
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of European Patent
Application, Serial No. 18 208 335.2, filed Nov. 26, 2018, pursuant
to 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a sensor receptacle for
receiving a sensor of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention
relates to a trim component of a motor vehicle with such a sensor
receptacle.
[0003] Many motor vehicles have assistance systems which assist the
driver in the operation of the motor vehicle. An example of such
assistance systems are parking aids (PDC: Park Distance Control),
wherein the driver receives a visual and/or acoustic message about
the remaining distance to an object in the vicinity of the motor
vehicle when parking, so that the driver can prevent a collision
with the object and thus damage to the motor vehicle and to the
object while simultaneously making optimum use of the available
parking space. Other examples are park steering assistants (PSA),
whereby the motor vehicle is automatically steered into
longitudinal and transverse parking spaces. Park steering
assistants are also able to move the motor vehicle out of
longitudinal parking spaces. Park steering assistants assist the
driver by automatically performing the optimum steering wheel
movements in order to move into and out of the parking space on the
ideal line. The parking steering assistant takes over automatically
measuring the parking space and assigning the start position and
the steering movements. The driver only needs to accelerate and
brake.
[0004] The functionality of these assistance systems is based on
data measured by suitably constructed sensors, such as radar and/or
ultrasound sensors. These sensors are arranged in or on the trim
components of the motor vehicle, in particular in the bumper and
side trim of the motor vehicle. Different numbers of sensors are
required depending on the type of assistance systems of the motor
vehicle. Typically, the motor vehicles have between four to six
sensors in the bumper alone. The accuracy of the assistance systems
and thus their reliability depend to a great extent from the exact
position and orientation of each sensor relative to the trim
components and the other sensors.
[0005] Trim components to which such sensors are attached are known
from DE 197 19 519 A1, WO 2012/055713, WO 2013/091774 A1 and EP 3
118 065 A1. In EP 3118065 A1, the sensor receptacle is affixed on
the trim component using a filling and fastening agent. The filling
and fastening agent is used to affix the sensor receptacle on the
trim component, but spaced therefrom by forming a cavity, with the
filling and fastening agent filling the cavity. The sensor
receptacle and consequently the sensor received therein can thus be
attached with the required orientation even in a region where the
trim component have curvatures, without having to use customized
mating flanges adapted to the curvature. As a result, the
production-related technical and logistical effort can be
significantly reduced.
[0006] Typically, the sensor receptacle has a cavity formed by a
wall, in which the sensor can be introduced, wherein the sensor is,
for example, attached to the sensor receptacle by an interference
fit. The employed filling and fastening agent may be liquid at the
beginning of the connection process and cures during the bonding
process, hereby producing the corresponding attachment of the
sensor receptacle on the trim component. As mentioned above, in the
EP 3 118 065 A1, the sensor receptacle is fixed on the trim
component, spaced apart therefrom, by forming a cavity, with the
filling and fastening agent filling the cavity. However, it has
been observed that a portion of the liquid filling and fastening
agent can still enter the cavity. The cured portion of the filling
and fastening agent in the cavity can in a worst case scenario
impair the function of the sensor. Moreover, the filling and
fastening agent is not always distributed in such a way that the
required withdrawal forces can be achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to
provide a sensor receptacle, which can be connected to the trim
component in a reliable and simple way. Furthermore, it is an
object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a trim
component, to which such a sensor receptacle is attached so that
the requirements placed on the attachment can be met. In
particular, the attachment should be carried out so that the
required withdrawal forces are reliably achieved and that even in
the event that the sensor receptacle is to be attached to the trim
component in an area with curvatures, the filling and fastening
agent does not enter the cavity of the sensor receptacle.
[0008] This object and others are attained with features of the
following paragraphs including an embodiment and further
advantageous embodiments.
[0009] An embodiment of the invention relates to a sensor
receptacle for receiving a sensor of a motor vehicle, comprising
[0010] a wall which encloses a cavity having a first opening and a
second opening and which defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the
sensor can be introduced into the cavity by a movement along the
longitudinal axis through the first opening and/or through the
second opening, [0011] a joining flange arranged in the region of
the first opening and constructed to connect the sensor receptacle
to a trim component of the motor vehicle by forming a cavity
between the sensor receptacle and the trim component, wherein the
sensor receptacle can be connected to the trim component by a
filling and fastening agent that fills the cavity, and [0012] a
protrusion arranged on the joining flange and extending along the
longitudinal axis, wherein [0013] the joining flange and the
protrusion are formed such that the filling and fastening agent is
displaced away from the cavity when the sensor receptacle is
connected to the trim component.
[0014] The sensor receptacles disclosed in EP 3 118 065 A1 have in
part joining flanges which however are not provided with
protrusions extending along the longitudinal axis. In contrast, the
proposed sensor receptacles have such protrusions, which are
arranged on the joining flanges and operate as a kind of flow
straightener. Consequently, the protrusions displace the liquid
filling and fastening agent away from the cavity when the sensor
receptacle is connected with the trim component. This prevents the
filling and fastening agent from entering the cavity and there
potentially impairing the functionality of the sensors. But at a
minimum, the amount of the filling and fastening agent entering the
cavity is reduced compared to the sensor receptacles disclosed in
EP 3 118 065 A1 by so much that the filling and fastening agent
reaching the cavity and cured in the cavity does not interfere with
the function of the sensor.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the wall forms an interior surface, with the joining flange being
aligned with the interior surface. The sensor can be inserted very
far into the sensor receptacle up to the first opening and guided
by the interior surface. The sensors do not have to be adapted to
cross-sectional changes of the cavity caused by the joining
flange.
[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
protrusion may be aligned with the interior surface. In this
embodiment too, the sensor can be inserted very far into the sensor
receptacle up to the first opening, wherein it is guided by the
interior surface. The sensors do not have to be adapted to
cross-sectional changes of the cavity caused by the protrusion.
[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, the joining
flange and the protrusion may be formed circumferentially. The
joining flange and the protrusion are thus formed without
interruption. This increases, on the one hand, the joining surface
between the trim component and the sensor receptacle and on the
other hand, prevents particularly effectively penetration of the
filling and fastening agent. In addition, the sensor receptacle can
be attached on the trim component regardless of its rotational
position.
[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the joining
flange and the protrusion may be formed integrally with the wall.
In this embodiment, the joining flange and the protrusion are
formed by the wall, so that the entire sensor receptacle can be
manufactured in a single manufacturing process. Joining steps for
connecting the joining flange with the wall and for connecting the
protrusion with the joining flange become unnecessary.
[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention is characterized
in that the protrusion protrudes from the joining flange with an
axial distance between 0.05 mm and 0.5 mm. It has been found that,
with the typical size of the cavity or with the maximum achievable
spacing between the sensor and the trim component, such an axial
distance is particularly effective in preventing the filling and
fastening agent from penetrating into the cavity of the sensor
receptacle.
[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the protrusion extends from the interior surface by a radial
distance between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm. It has been found that with the
typically employed size of the cavity or with the maximum
achievable spacing between the sensor and the trim component, such
radial distance particularly effectively prevents the filling and
fastening agent from penetrating into the cavity of the sensor
receptacle.
[0021] Another embodiment of the present invention is characterized
in that the joining flange has an end face pointing toward the
first opening which is inclined relative to a plane extending
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis by an end face angle,
wherein the an end face angle points away from the first opening
and is between 1.degree. and 7.degree. and in particular between
3.degree. and 5.degree.. The feature of having the end face angle
pointing away from the first opening causes the axial distance of
the end face to the first opening to increase radially outward. The
inclination of the end face of the joining flange keeps the filling
and fastening agent away from the cavity of the sensor receptacle.
It has been observed that, with the described range of the end face
angle, penetration of the filling and fastening agent into the
cavity can be particularly effectively prevented. Typically, when
mounting the sensor receptacle on the trim component, the filling
and fastening agent is applied on the trim component first, and the
sensor receptacle is subsequently pressed against the filling and
fastening agent with a movement along the longitudinal axis of the
sensor receptacle. Due to the inclination of the end face of the
joining flange, this axial movement causes a radially outward
displacement of the filling and fastening agent. At the same time,
the filling and fastening agent is distributed so as to form a
particularly large joining surface, whereby the thus produced
connection provides high withdrawal forces.
[0022] Another embodiment of the present invention is characterized
in that the joining flange has an outer surface which is inclined
relative to the longitudinal axis by an outer surface angle,
wherein the outer surface angle is between 1.degree. and 5.degree.
and produces a taper of the joining flange toward the first
opening. It has been found that such an outer surface angle also
produces a particularly uniform distribution of the filling and
fastening agent, so that the produced connection provides high
withdrawal forces.
[0023] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the sensor receptacle is made of a plastic material, which is
permeable to electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength between 350
nm and 450 nm. For some of the filling and fastening agent commonly
used to affix the sensor receptacle to the trim component, curing
may be initiated by the radiant energy contained in the
electromagnetic radiation. In this way, the manufacturing process
can be simplified, since the radiation source required for
generating the electromagnetic radiation can then be switched on
exactly when the sensor receptacle is in the desired position
relative to the trim component and has attained the desired
orientation. Because the sensor receptacle is permeable to
electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength between 350 nm and 450
nm, the electromagnetic radiation can reach a large part of the
surface of the filling and fastening agent, without causing partial
shadowing which could delay curing of the filling and fastening
agent. The wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm produces visible
light that appears violet-blue color to the human eye. In this way,
on the one hand, the operability of the radiation source can be
readily determined and, on the other hand, the electromagnetic
radiation in this wavelength range contains sufficient radiation
energy to initiate curing of the filling and fastening agent.
[0024] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a trim
component of a motor vehicle including: [0025] one or more through
openings, [0026] one or more sensor receptacles according to one of
the previously discussed embodiments, wherein [0027] the sensor
receptacles are arranged, by forming a cavity, at least partially
spaced from the trim component in the region of one of the through
openings, [0028] a filling and fastening agent for filling the
cavity and attaching the sensor receptacles on the trim
component.
[0029] The technical effects and advantages attainable with the
proposed trim component correspond to those discussed above for the
disclosed sensor receptacle. In summary, it should be noted that
with the proposed design of the sensor receptacle, a particularly
uniform distribution of the filling and fastening agent can be
achieved so that the attachment of the sensor receptacle on the
trim component provides high withdrawal forces. Furthermore, the
proposed design of the sensor receptacle prevents the filling and
fastening agent from entering the cavity of the sensor receptacle
and from interfering with the functionality of the sensor.
[0030] According to another embodiment, the trim component may have
a curvature and the through openings may be arranged in the region
of the curvature. Because the sensor receptacle may be mounted on
the trim component and spaced therefrom by forming a cavity, the
sensor receptacle and hence the sensor may be affixed to the trim
component with the desired orientation with respect of the trim
component even in the region of the curvatures. The aforementioned
advantages can also be realized in the area of the curvatures. In
addition, the sensor receptacle and in particular the joining
flange need not be individually adapted to each curvature of the
trim component.
[0031] In another embodiment, the filling and fastening agent may
be formed as an adhesive which can be cured under the action of
electromagnetic radiation. As a result, the manufacturing process
can be simplified, because the radiation source required for
generating the electromagnetic radiation can be switched on exactly
when the sensor receptacle is in the desired position relative to
the trim component and has reached the desired orientation.
[0032] According to another embodiment, the adhesive can be cured
by exposure to electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength between
350 nm and 450 nm. The wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm
produces light with a violet-blue color that is visible to the
human eye. In this way, on the one hand, the operability of the
radiation source can be readily determined and, on the other hand,
the electromagnetic radiation in this wavelength range contains
sufficient radiant energy to initiate curing of the filling and
fastening agent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0033] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described
in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which
show in
[0034] FIG. 1A a schematic diagram of a sensor receptacle according
to the invention in cross-section,
[0035] FIG. 1B the sensor receptacle of FIG. 1A in a perspective
view,
[0036] FIG. 1C an enlarged view of the region X indicated in FIG.
1A, and
[0037] FIG. 2 the sensor receptacle shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C,
attached to a trim component.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements
are generally indicated by same reference numerals
[0039] Turning now to the drawing and particularly FIG. 1A, there
is shown an embodiment of a sensor receptacle 10 according to the
present invention in a schematic sectional view. The sensor
receptacle 10 includes a wall 12, which encloses a cavity 14 and
defines a longitudinal axis L of the sensor receptacle 10. The
cavity 14 has a first opening 16 and a second opening 18. The first
opening 16 and the second opening 18 delimit the sensor receptacle
10 in the axial direction.
[0040] As is evident in particular from the FIG. 1B, which shows
the sensor receptacle 10 illustrated in FIG. 1A in a perspective
view, the sensor receptacle 10 is substantially tubular, so that
the cavity 14 has an approximately cylindrical shape and forms an
interior surface 20.
[0041] The cavity 14 expands toward the second opening 18, allowing
a sensor 22 (see FIG. 2) to be introduced into the cavity 14
particularly easily via the second opening 18, for which purpose
the sensor 22 is moved along the longitudinal axis L of the sensor
receptacle 10.
[0042] The sensor receptacle 10 has a joining flange 24 in the
region of the first opening 16, which protrudes in the radial
direction, i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, over the
side wall. Starting from the joining flange 24, a protrusion 26
extends along the longitudinal axis L of the sensor receptacle 10
toward the first opening 16. FIG. 1C shows the area marked in FIG.
1A not to scale and enlarged. As can be seen, the wall 12, the
joining flange 24 and the protrusion 26 are designed as a one-piece
component and the joining flange 24 and the protrusion 26 are
formed by the wall 12. The interior surface 20 formed by the wall
12 extends continuously to the first opening 16 and has no steps or
inclined portions. The joining flange 24 and the protrusion 26 are
therefore aligned with the interior surface 20 along the
longitudinal axis L. As seen in particular from FIG. 1B, the
joining flange 24 and the protrusion 26 are formed
circumferentially without any interruptions.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 1C, the protrusion 26 protrudes from the
joining flange 24 with an axial distance DA. The axial distance DA
is between 0.05 mm and 0.5 mm. Furthermore, the protrusion 26
extends from the interior surface 20 in the radial direction by a
radial distance DR, which is between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm. The joining
flange 24 has an end face 28, which points toward the first opening
16 and which is inclined with respect to a plane extending
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The end face 28 thus
encloses an end face angle .alpha. with this plane, which is
between 1.degree. and 7.degree., for example 4.degree.. The end
face angle .alpha. is oriented to face away from the first opening
16, so that the distance from the end face 28 to the first opening
16 increases radially outwardly.
[0044] In addition, the joining flange 24 has an outer surface 30,
which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis L by an outer
surface angle .beta.. The inclination is oriented so that the
joining flange 24 is tapered at the outer surface 30 toward the
first opening 16. The outer surface angle .beta. is between
1.degree. and 5.degree., for example 3.degree..
[0045] The outer surface 30 and the end face 28 transition into one
another with a radius R, which in the illustrated example is
between 4 mm and 6 mm, for example 5 mm.
[0046] The sensor receptacle 10 is made of a plastic, which makes
it possible to produce the sensor receptacle 10 by injection
molding. With the injection molding process, a large number of
sensor receptacles 10 can be provided within a short time at low
cost. The plastic used is permeable to electromagnetic radiation
having a wavelength between 350 nm and 450 nm.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows the sensor receptacle 10 illustrated in FIGS.
1A to 1C attached to a trim component 32 of a motor vehicle 34. The
trim component 32 delimits the motor vehicle 34 and thus forms, for
example, the extreme front, side or rear end of the motor vehicle
34.
[0048] The sensor 22 is inserted into the cavity 14 and
form-fittingly secured to the sensor receptacle 10. For this
purpose, the sensor 22 has radial extensions 36 which engage in
recesses 38 of the wall 12 of the sensor receptacle 10. The sensor
receptacle 10 is positioned so that the sensor 22 is arranged
concentrically in relation to a through opening 41 of the trim
component 32, whereby the sensor 22 can interact with the
surroundings of the trim component 32 or of the motor vehicle 34.
Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 2, the trim component 32 has a
curvature 40.
[0049] Attachment of the sensor receptacle 10 on the trim component
32 follows the following process: First, a filling and fastening
agent 42 which is liquid or viscos in the initial state annularly
is applied on the trim component 32 around the through-opening 41,
such that the filling and fastening agent 42 is located radially
outside the cavity 14 and approximately inside the area covered by
the joining flange 24 when the sensor receptacle 10 is in
concentric alignment with the through opening 41. Thereafter, the
sensor receptacle 10 with the attached sensor 22 is, with a
movement along the longitudinal axis L, moved to a position in
which a cavity 44 remains between the trim component 32 and the
sensor receptacle 10. For this purpose, the sensor receptacle 10
may be brought into the desired position with the aid of an
unillustrated positioning and alignment device. In this position,
the sensor receptacle 10 makes contact with the filling and
fastening agent 42, but not directly with the trim component 32, so
that the cavity 44 between the trim component 32 is filled and
bridged by filling and fastening agent 42.
[0050] The proposed design of the sensor receptacle 10, and
especially the protrusion 26 and the design of the joining flange
24 prevents, on the one hand, the filling and fastening agent 42
from entering the cavity 14 of the sensor receptacle 10 and thus
adversely affecting the functionality of the sensor 22, when the
sensor receptacle 10 is in contact with the filling and fastening
agent 42. On the other hand, the design of the present invention of
the sensor receptacle 10 causes a uniform distribution of the
filling and fastening agent 42 which provides a large contact
surface between the trim component 32, in particular the joining
flange 24, and the sensor receptacle 10.
[0051] The filling and fastening agent 42 may be in the form of an
adhesive 46, which is curable under the action of electromagnetic
radiation. Electromagnetic radiation can be provided by an
unillustrated radiation source. The radiation source may provide,
for example, electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of between
350 nm and 450 nm, for example 400 nm. The plastic material from
which the sensor receptacle 10 is constructed is ideally permeable
in this wavelength range, so that the electromagnetic radiation can
impinge on a large part of the surface of the adhesive 46 without
shadowing, thus allowed the adhesive 46 to cure evenly.
[0052] As mentioned above, the trim component 32 has a curvature
40. Consequently, the first distance A.sub.1 and the second
distance A.sub.2 between the trim component 32 and the sensor
receptacle 10 are not equal. These differences can be compensated
with the filling and fastening agent 42, thereby obviating the need
to match the sensor receptacle 10 and in particular the joining
flange 24 to the curvature 40 of the trim component 32.
[0053] While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodied in a sensor receptacle, it is not intended to be limited
to the details shown since various modifications and structural
changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of
the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in
order to best explain the principles of the invention and practical
application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
* * * * *